Today, the state House Public Safety Committee passed House File 573 by a 14 to 7 vote. This important self-defense legislation will now be sent to the House floor for consideration. At this time however, a House floor vote has not been scheduled.House File 573 would remove a person’s “duty to retreat” from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to stand their ground and protect themselves or their family anywhere they are lawfully present. It would create a presumption that an individual who unlawfully or forcefully enters your dwelling, place of business or employment, or occupied vehicle is there to cause serious bodily injury or death, so the occupant may use force, including deadly force, against that person. HF 573 also would expressly enhance the protections against criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits when justifiable force is used.
Please continue to check your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for updates on this and other important legislation in Des Moines.